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How to Break an Apartment Lease Agreement Without Penalty

Leases are legally binding contracts, and vacating a rental property before your lease expires can have serious consequences. But what are you supposed to do if you can’t make rent? You can skip the payment and dodge your landlord until you’re able to drum up the cash. However, this method rarely works and some landlords begin the eviction process once payments are 15 days past due.

In this situation your choices are few – either break your lease early, or risk having your belongings tossed out on the street. There are a number of consequences you may face by breaking a lease, but there are still ways to handle the situation tactfully and avoid major penalties.

Potential Consequences of Breaking a Lease

As hard as you try to avoid breaking your lease, sometimes, this is your only alternative. Unfortunately, breaking a lease can have major consequences, creating a domino effect that can impact your personal finances for years, as well as your credit score.

1. Civil Lawsuits Because leases are legally binding agreements, your landlord can take legal action to recover back rent payments. In most cases, your landlord will win the lawsuit and a judge will order you to pay off the lease balance. Job loss, illness, or divorce can negatively impact your finances and hinder your ability to make your rent payments. But unfortunately, these excuses don’t legally excuse you to break a lease early.

2. Credit Judgment A credit judgment is an order to pay a debt, and after hearing your case, a judge can issue a judgment against you. You can initiate a debt repayment plan in court or immediately pay the debt to avoid a judgment. Judgments are derogatory, and this information stays on your credit report for seven years. Since your landlord will most likely report the breach of contract to the bureaus – which will cause your score to drop – avoiding a judgment is key to lessening credit damage after breaking a lease.

3. Difficulty Renting a New PlaceRenting a new home or apartment after breaking a lease can be challenging. Your new landlord can ask for rental references or review your credit report, and any negative information on your reports – such as an eviction, breach of contract, or poor payment habits – can cause future landlords to deny your rental application.

You can attempt to rent a new place before the breach of contract hits your credit report, but on the off-chance that your landlord inquires as to whether you’ve ever broken a lease early, be honest and open. Your new landlord will likely uncover your past in due time, and lying on an application or withholding information can cost you the rental.

Breaking a Lease With Minimal or No Damage

You want to avoid a lawsuit and keep a good credit score. Besides, negative information reported to the credit bureaus can delay any plans of buying a house in the future. For this reason, you’ll need to break your lease without damaging your credit.

1. Check for Breach of Contract As part of the lease, landlords agree to maintain the property and provide a safe, healthy environment. But regrettably, some landlords do not live up to their end of the bargain. They can ignore requests to replace nonworking appliances, or refuse to fix faulty plumbing and broken heating systems. Other issues with the unit can include mold or an insect infestation. Failure to keep rentals in good condition is called breach of contract, and if your landlord breaches the contract, you can break the lease without penalty.

You may need to prove that you tried to get the landlord to work with you, so keep copies of all correspondences sent to your landlord regarding issues with the unit and take pictures. If your landlord decides to sue, you can present these letters and pictures to the judge as evidence.

2. Look for an Early Termination Clause Some landlords do not include this clause in the rental agreement, and if they do, they don’t always tell applicants. An early termination clause is a statement within some lease agreements that gives renters an “out” if they stumble upon hardship or encounter other situations. These clauses allow tenants to break a lease in the event of job loss, family/personal medical issues, divorce, or job transfer.

3. Beg for Mercy If your landlord is a jerk and only cares about money, begging for mercy won’t get you far. But if your landlord is understanding, appeal to his or her emotions in order to get out of your lease early.

Speak with your landlord the moment you realize that you have to break your lease. The sooner you have the talk, the sooner you can move on with your life. Don’t hold back, but rather explain your situation in detail. This isn’t the time to be embarrassed. This conversation determines whether you can break your lease without penalty.

4. Pay Off the Lease Balance Over Time Paying off the lease balance is one way to get on your landlord’s good side and break your lease without penalty. However, if you can’t afford to pay several thousands of dollars to clear the balance, ask about paying off the lease over several months. For example, if there are two months left on your agreement and you owe $2,000 on the lease, offer to pay off the remaining balance over 12 months and give your landlord $166 a month.

5. Forfeit Your Security Deposit Most renters look forward to getting back their security deposit after moving out of a rented living space. But if you’re looking to break your lease and avoid credit damage, be ready to lose your security deposit. As a matter of fact, propose this option when negotiating with your landlord. This money can help your landlord maintain the property until a new tenant moves in. You can take it a step further and offer to clean and paint the apartment yourself, which can save your landlord time and money.

6. Find a Short-Term Renter Subletting isn’t an option in many cases. But if your landlord doesn’t speak against subletting in your lease agreement, it’s worth a shot. This approach is very simple. Find someone who needs short-term accommodations and have this person take over your lease on a temporary basis. Subletting works best if you’re near the beginning of your lease term. Your name remains on the lease and you remain responsible for the rental. However, the sub-tenant writes the check for the unit each month. They send you a check, and you in turn send a check to your landlord.

Final Word

Maintaining a good rental history scores points with your landlord. If you were to break your lease in the future, your landlord can recall your good rental history and empathize with your situation. But in the event that you can’t avoid credit damage, rest assured that you can rebuild your credit score and perhaps qualify for a mortgage in the future. Keep up with your other payments, keep debt to a minimum, and work to pay off any judgments.

What creative measures have you taken to get out of a rental lease early?

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Valencia Higuera is a personal finance junkie who enjoys reading articles on budgeting, saving money, and credit cards. She has written personal finance articles and blogs for several online publications. She holds a B.A in English from Old Dominion University and currently lives in Chesapeake, Virginia.

http://www.cashadvance.co.uk/ Darren E

Great article and excellent tips; a lot of folks often find themselves in a bind when they are forced to move elsewhere whether it is because of a job or a loved one. But I think your final note is very important, in that a tenant should always keep a good relationship with the landlord because when you want to break the least, the tenant is in the weaker position and would benefit from an understanding landlord.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=706016573 Jeff Crews

Apartment companies are out there for your money (just like any business). Before you do anything, make sure all the details are covered. I would also suggest being on good terms with the owners. It’s amazing how being on good terms can go a long way!

Valencia

I agree that it’s best to stay on good terms throughout the lease. A history of being a difficult tenant doesn’t work to your advantage when you have to break a lease early.

Subletting seems by far the most viable option at the moment. There are plenty of young people looking to rent, who don’t even know if they’ll be working in the same city in six months. Besides, those other options all sound pretty problematic and a long shot if you actually signed on to a legit contract with a good person in the first place.

The best option is still not to break an agreement. If you do this again and again, it might become a habit.Not just in terms of rents but in other areas like family and career. And this can be very harmful. It would not only affect you but the people around you as well. As much as possible, one should keep up with his promises.

Best regards, Belinda

brittney

what if it has nothing to do with hardships, its just you do not feel safe anymore. i have watched ppl kill themselves as well as ppl get murdered where i stay. the landlord will not hear me or my husband out at all and told us to just stay in our house and we wont get hurt. i feel like they are telling us to live our life in fear, i’m excpecting a child hear soon and i dont think thats fair.

http://www.facebook.com/shyboy.cali Shyboy Cali

i bet you live in el paso texas on the east side? worst place i ever lived.

Rachelsamommy

so what if theres black mold in the apartment couple months ago my landlord had the roof redone and the ppl that did it did it when there was a thunderstorm warning so they took the roof off an put a tarp on it that same night our apartment flooded we called our landlord an she said stay there an clean it so nothing gets ruined pretty much meaning she wasnt gonna pay for anything that was damaged so we did when the storm storm stopped coming into our kitchen we noticed the wood above our ceiling was full of mold so we pointed that out to her the next day she said mold drys out an not to worry now i have mold everywhere ive tried cleaning it an nothing works we had gotten behind in rent because of this we lost our jobs cuz we had gotten sick from the 5 inches of water constantly on our flood an the mold pouring on to us so now she wants 3000 and i dont know what to do she still hasnt fixed anything except put the rest of the roof on anyone have any advise?

Edenvironmental

I’m an Certified Indoor Environmentalist and in Florida this situation is not uncommon. I have successfully assisted several clients in this situation. The laws very state by state. You should consult with a local Certified Indoor Environmentalist and your Doctor to determine the best course of action.

mj

Get a lawyer, you have a case

live in landlord.

Can I break my lease if my landlord lives on the property when it wasn’t stated in the contract? When we moved in he verbly said that it will be a temporary situation only. Turns out he pulled in a trailer and his hired helper also lives in the barn. They did not pay for electricity bills until during the hot summer days our bills was so high that my husband made them pay for it. Every month he tells us that he will move out the next month. Next month came, nothing happen. It has been 6 months now and looks like he is not going anywhere. He said we can live if we want as long as we give him 30 days notice but I wanted make sure he can’t sue us down the line.

http://www.facebook.com/penelope.jane12 Penny Dobinson

Get him to make up another binding contract or check your lease. That way if he tries to sue you you can produce the new signed contract. This may even be on your lease agreement.

aaaa

If I have no social security number? Will that affect me?

Edithy02

What if the landlord decides to terminate your lease on a reason to rebuild the property with a 60-day notice to vacate?

Tanglewoodterrace

They are not allowed to do that without giving you another place on the property to live. My advice, tell them so. Tell the landlord you will bring them to court. Please ask for a copy of your leasing contract and read it to find loopholes.

joehawk7

If it was at the end of your lease period or you are on a m-t-m. then he is giving you adequate notice. Assuming you are not in a rent control area. Normally a 60 day notice is without cause.

Vfaith26

what if it is a health issue? the tennant below smokes and it triggers your asthma?

Tanglewoodterrace

If there was something that was not disclosed to you before you moved in that if known would have caused you to NOT move in then you can go in an talk to the Landlord. Tell them what’s wrong and that you want to move. It’s in our leasing contract we signed

Slickasice2

if i’m a co signer how do i get out of a lease when boyfriend and girlfriend cant get along cause others kids. i know i had to deal with this one time when i had a roommate and all he had to do was sign a piece of paper saying he didnt wish to live here and no longer wanted to be on the lease. can i do that were i’m living at now.

PATRICIA

i sign a two year lease with my landlord. but my heat has been going out Moseley on the week in the office has close for the week. and there is know one to call and i am cold in my home. this has happen about four time do i have the right to brake my lease and move out. this is the coldest pace i have ever lived. HELP ME IF YOU CAN

http://www.facebook.com/penelope.jane12 Penny Dobinson

I’m sure you can. You landlord has a duty to maintain his property for you. If he is not fixing your heat, you can break your lease. Just make sure you have written proof that you have asked them to fix it (email). My air con was taking 8 weeks to replace and I htreatened to break my lease as my Agent told me I had a right to. They fixed it right away.

http://www.facebook.com/shyboy.cali Shyboy Cali

what about if the landlord does nothing at all when you complain about another tenant harassing or threatening you, or garbage dumps in the back set on fire, or gangs starting trouble for everyone around. Loud obnoxious neibors…Even if the police are called out, they do nothing either. i know. Its happening to me now. Can i break the lease and not have penalties in these matters?

ley

my top neighbor robbed from my bottom neighbor,i live at the bottom also and its a 4plex. they always have friends come over and get drunk and break bottles everywhere in the yard or driveway,once on my front porch. my husband is in the army and we want to move on post but we signed a year long agreement lease for centry 21. I don’t know how to get out of it and they tried to break in my place but didn’t succeed. I just need advice on how to get out of this.

http://twitter.com/Dragonfly122877 Jeff Donnelly

Is a hardship clause mandatory for the apartments to offer meaning if it is not written in my lease can I still claim hardship and have it work

Toni

What if I am on a sub-let lease?? This person I am renting a room from calls me every payday (I am paid up on my rent, but still calls me weekly to ask where I am???) I work out of town, have not been at the house all month, BUT he is telling me I STILL owe $50 for 1/2 the utility bill that I have NOT used…. Wants me to deposit it into his account, knowing I do road work (we work for same ccompany) and am working on a pass nowhere near town from 7 a.m. to 7-9 p.m., like he expects me to take a day off n stay in town to pay his beer and HIS power bill… I am fed up

joehawk7

How utilities are handled should be spelled out in the sub-lease. It of course, is impossible to accurately figure out who used exactly how much water or utilities hence most co-inhibitors share the rent equally. Surely you can figure out how to transfer funds to cover your bills. Make a written agreement how you are to be informed of bills (email forward the bill or text), and how much time you get to pay. This could easily be done to coincide with due dates or maybe 7 or 14 days from notification. (I would like to see the wording on how his beer bill is included :)

Lee

My apartment was broken into … I am on a 12 month lease, but I just do not feel safe living there …. can I break my lease and move out .. with out any penalty

joehawk7

Did the landlord fail to do what is reasonable to keep the place safe? Were their locks not working? Did you lose a key and inform the landlord and he didn’t change the locks? (he can bill you for it). Was the problem caused by someone you know or have dealing with?

Basically you need to show that it was somehow the landlords fault. Difficult to do unless he failed to keep something in repair. Or if you can prove prior break ins at your place and he didn’t inform you of the risk.

Anna Cuevas

A friend and I moved into a house with my husband. But we are not together, his girlfriend moved out on him and he could not afford the rent at all. So than he moved out before we got added to the lease. Was suppose to meet up with the landlord Friday but she never showed up. Now we have a 30 day notice on our door what could we do

joehawk7

Lucky you are not on the lease. Move or if you want to keep it, make an application. Careful of getting on the hook for any rent due.

Cindy B.

We live in a duplex and we live in the bottom. Our upstairs tenants have little ones that are always running, jumping, screaming, slamming doors and throwing things on the floor. We work nights and sleep during the day so it irritates us. My husband id a truck driver and I work in a rest home, so we need our sleep. We live in a one bedroom apt and my son is living with us he is 8 yrs old and it is very cramped. Also, there is things that need fixed they came over and fixed some things but haven’t returned to fix anything else for like 4 months or more. When we voice our complaints to them they tell us things don’t revolve around you. We are like we know just have some respect for people who work nights and sleep during the day to b considerate of whom you place in the other apartment. My husband has talked to the people upstairs but they hardly speak any English. Plus, they have someone else living with them that we are sure isn’t on the lease. But, we can’t say anything to the landlord because we would be considered trouble makers or whiners by the landlord. I do not like disrespectful people but that is how people are nowdays. So, is this a legal way to get out of a lease agreement. Too crowded and noisy neighbors.

Amanda

Hello, I am going thru the very same similar situation. Have you got a response back on your question cause I would like to know as well. Thanks

Excellent insights. If you want to break the lease then they you and landlords are required to try to find a new tenant if you move out early. But If your landlord is not able to find a new renter then you may be required to pay for the days the unit remains vacant.

kris

I signed a 12 month lease with a cosigner due to poor credit from a divorce. I have more than adequate income to pay the rent and have paid on time or early for the last 12 months. It is time to renew the lease and the manager says I am required to have a cosigner again for this lease! I asked him how long a cosigner will be required and his answer was as long as he wants one! Is that legal??

musikgirla

Yes. It’s called capitalism.

joehawk7

I would ask for his requirements. Normally they would specify monthly income, 2x or 3x rent. Credit score and security funds (1x or 2x rent). He is not supposed to alter his requirements except for lowering them if he deems fit. He may continue to be cautious if you still have unpaid collections and or further late payments.

rania

rania we will buy a home in a month ,is this agood reason to break the lease without penalty

joehawk7

No

Amelia

My apartments credited me 3 mo tha ago and are now trying to charge me with what they said I didnt have to pay is there anything I can do they say I have to pay 500 dollars with my rent or I’m going to be evicted

Etudela

Hi, I just recently got a letter for a notice of termination for cause. I should not be limited on how many and who should visit me at my apartment, especially if they are family. Second, immediately after I signed my 12 month lease, I applied for a companionship dog and I provided a copy to my manager. Now they are saying that I am in violation for cause and they are for these two reasons. What is the best step to settle this matter with the apartment manager? Thanks.

musikgirla

What does the contract say? Usually it will have stipulated pet and visits policy. Also, if the contract was for a specific period and not renewed, he has all the right to ask you to leave without any reason.

Monica

I signed a 12 months lease. My lease was set to end in August & I moved out in August. Do I still have to pay for the month of August & the month of September if it expired in August?

joehawk7

Devil in the details. Read the lease. If it was a fixed term lease then it should end at the end of the lease. If it automatically renews, you may have a new 12 month lease. Some automatically convert to month-to- month and would require a 30 Day or other Notice.

Don Omega

We suspect the house we are renting is under foreclosure since the bank sent reps to lock up/winterize the home. The landlord claims it is not, but I do not believe him since they won’t put any money into the home. Since we don’t want to wait for the bank to kick us out if it is in foreclosure, Can we break the lease since the landlord is at fault for not paying his mortgage without reprocussions?

nikki

Don omega u can break the lease ..or u can stay there and the bank will have to pay u to move .. keys for cash its,called u should be able to go on yr internet to yr ciry hall and look up yr place to see if it is,in foreclosure but u have time…

joehawk7

The situation tends to increase anxiety in tenants, but once the law and facts are known there is no reason to be agitated over it. You most likely will not be hurt financially.

First confirm the status of the house. I would either call a title company and ask if any Notice of default or other foreclosure paperwork has been filed or see if your county/township has public records. Confirm if the owner still owns the property (it may have already been sold via foreclosure or sale).

There may be some remedies for you if at the time you rented, the owner was already in some stage of foreclosure and he did not disclose that to you. If the default and foreclosure action started after you were renting, there probably is no “lack of disclosure” issue.

The anxiety of it is a bummer, but you really don’t have too much to be worried about. In fact you may save some money due to this happening to you.

First of all I will assume that you do not want an eviction or judgement against you. And I will assume that you act in a reasonable and moral way. I would also start saving for a move if need be, as you are most likely not getting a new lease.

If the property has already been foreclosed (owned by a bank or 3rd party), you do not owe the prior owner any more rent (you have a case to get paid back for any full month’s rent he took after he had lost the property). Partial month’s are a little trickier and I would include them if you make a claim for your security deposit.

If the property has transferred, I would wait until the new owner notifies you of the ownership (ask them to supply you with a copy of the deed showing that they are the proper legal owners).

The law allows tenants to continue their lease with the new owner (unless the new owner is moving into the property). Hence if the new owner is the bank or a corporation you will be able to finish your lease, eliminating any damages to you regarding moving. So in this case you are no worse off than you would have been under your prior owner had he not wanted to renew the lease. In fact you are given a minimum of 90 Days instead of 30 or 60 days to vacate.

If the new owner is a person or a trust and he states that he intends to move in, I would ask for that in writing and to include a penalty if he does not actually move in for a period of one year. Let him know that moving early will cause you damages in terms of costs for a move. (This is one of the justifications for cash for keys, which btw is not mandatory it be offered to you). But you might want to ask him for it instead of the penalty clause.

If your lease is month to month or ends soon, or the guy claims he is moving in, they must offer you at least 90 days before you have to move out. The law is not clear if you have to pay rent during this time-frame so many tenants do not pay rent. You may want to look up your jurisdiction to see if local judges view this 90 Day Notice as an alternate to “without cause” notices, or they use it as an alternate to “with cause” notices as well. In any event you may get hit with an eviction if you do not pay the fair rents (amounts usually proved by your existing lease). You have a higher chance of winning this eviction action if they served it prior to the 90 Day Notice period. I have heard of courts throwing out premature 3 Day Pay Rent or Quit Notices and make the new owner wait the full 90 days, only to then hit the tenant with money judgement for the full amount of unpaid rent. Basically the law was intended to relieve some of the unfair stress of a quick-move-out by innocent tenants, only to be twisted to financially harm an equally innocent new owner.

The other possibility is if the old owner still owns the property and you find that a foreclosure action has been started. From a financial perspective, in most cases, this is similar to receiving notice that most likely your lease will not be extended.

The old owner still owns the property and he is still due rent. If you do not pay rent or if you try to use your security deposit as rent without consent of the owner, then you are open for an eviction action. Remember, once the property transfers, you will have at least 90 days (or the balance or your lease, if longer) before you will have to move out.

Be careful of causing additional damages to the owner by withholding rent. You may cause him significant damages if he really is intending to take care of the default, and your lack of payment causes him to be slightly short, thereby causing him to lose the property.

The only significant increased risk you have is his not paying you back your security deposit. Although he could refuse to pay you back as well if the lease ended per a normal Notice situation. In both cases your remedy is with small claims court.

I would recommend asking him to allow you to use your security deposit as last month’s rent, and use it as soon as you see a court date published or trustee sale date of the foreclosure. Also remind him that normally there are additional penalties if a landlord withholds security deposit without cause.

Keep an eye on your local court system for actions related to your old owner or to yourself. Periodically checking (including just prior to paying rent) your county/township recorder for actions against him or the property will keep you in the know.

I have seen tenants eliminate the risk of having an eviction filed by offering the new owner a very reduced rent for the 90 Day time frame. The reduction can more than offset the potentially lost security deposit or even help pay for some of the move.

captjt

One of other tenets at the house I rent a room at, keeps trashing the shared bathroom. (Fecal matter on walls, blood on tub, etc) I’ve told the landlord multiple times over three months. I’ve sent him pics. I’m tired of living like this. Is therre a way out of lease?

musikgirla

Dow the contract say you can leave if you don’t like your housemate? If it’s not on the contract, you may not.

Confusedforsure

I have recently signed a contract for a rental property. I have paid the security deposit and one month rental in advance. I was to move in next week. But now I’m having a change of heart and donot wish to move to the new place. Is there any way I can come out of this contract. Please advise, somebody. Thanks

Bhing

I have a problem. I sign a contract to lease a house . Today I was in that property to clean my new house and the neighbors gathered around the house and told about the flood that going on the property.The owner did not mention flood at all. I sign the lease yesterday. They told me that mold in that property is bad. They just cover up with paint. Any advice? It’s been flooded 6 times in the last 4 years, the last tenants lost all furniture and both of thief’s cars. Can I get of this? I gave them first and the deposit.

musikgirla

You may have an opening there, if he did not disclose the flooding problem. It could be considered embezzlement.

disqus_8OKccgUa19

My apartment managers gave me a letter to sign saying if I was going to stay for another year. I signed it saying I was, but was never given another lease to sign. Every year, except for the past two years, I was given a new lease to sign. Also, the lease states that management must take care of the outside. The sidewalks, although salted, are snow plowed by people who use leaf blowers. The parking lot has not been snow plowed yet, so there has been at least 6 inches of snow. They keep giving me old appliances that burn out quickly. The floor boards feel like they are going to give out. Can I break my lease? Do I have a lease?

musikgirla

If the original contact is for 1 year, no.

RealLifeTroubles

If staying in the lease will cause the tenant to default, and thus require the landlord to mitigate damages is this a valid reason for both parties to break a lease? Also, if the tenant has acted in good faith to try and reduce the cost of re-letting by giving up their security deposit and providing an extra months rent does this constitute an amicable action on behalf of the tenant? I could really use some help in my situation. I was provided a career opportunity that gave me little room to maneuver, and immediately put my two week notice in at my current job. So I am stuck moving out of state, where I will have a source of employment, but with a landlord who is reluctant to work with me on breaking the lease. I have even gone so far to help him, the landlord, by finding possible tenants. However, the landlord stated after my informing him of this emergency move, that he would raise the rent for a future possible renter since his other units are asking for more. Also, he is unwilling to record any verbal agreement and has chosen not to sign a new agreement. Do I have anything to go off of? If I have an infant daughter who is dependent on my income and he is putting me in this situation by asking me to pay considerably more, and unwilling to find a common ground, is he in a sense ‘causing economic hardship’ for my family? Given that I would be unable to move with this debt lingering and building.

musikgirla

When in court, two things will be asked. Do you know how to read and write? Did you willingly enter into this agreement? Nothing else matters. No new situation will invalidate the contract, except a breach from the other party. See if you can find any and work around that.

Danielle s.

I currently have 2 months left on my 12 month lease. 3 weeks ago I found a water leak in my sons room that caused mold. The manager of my complex informed me we have mold everywhere so don’t be alarmed in most cases it’s never black mold. I demanded to have a mold specialist test before anything was done so that my children were safe sleeping in their room. It took my complex 2 weeks to get a specialist out and now they are claiming it will take another week or 2to fix . When I mentioned breaking the lease they told me I would have to pay 1400 to do an early termination of contract. I’m pretty sure this is considered unlivable my children have been sleeping on the couch for 2weeks now and it will continue because they are taking forever to fix a water leak . Can I get out of this without paying an outrageous fee???

musikgirla

No mold problem is fixed in a day. Two weeks is nothing. There are things you can do to cope with it in the meantime.

guest

Wow. No. You never ask the landlord to have the mold tested, that was your first mistake. Instead you should have taken a sample of it to your local university or health department to have it tested as they aren’t going to lie to you about the results as they don’t stand to gain or lose anything from the results, your landlord on the other hand does. In addition the health department along with your local housing department would have given your landlord a set period of time to have the leak fixed.

If the mold tested by the university or health department would have tested positive for blackmold or any other mold that causes major health problems, you would have been able to break your lease without paying the final two months.

Carla

Hi, I wondered if anyone could help. I have 5 months left of my 12 month lease however I live in a flat down an alleyway and we have had contact trouble with youths down the alleyway to which I have rung the police several times, from them throwing rocks at my window to climbing up and knocking on my window. However last week I was walking through with my 7 year old sister in law and there was a women injecting herself with I’m presuming drugs. I can’t handle the stress of it anymore and have found a little house which would be perfect and quiet for me and my partner. However I cannot afford to pay both, and wondered if my circumstances would help me to terminate my tenancy?

guest

Pay off your lease. That is your best bet. If you can pay it off early, because once the money aspect of the lease is satisfied, and the apartment is surrendered in good condition to your landlord you do not have to stay there and they can’t put it against your record.

To leave early without paying you will be at fault. Your landlord has to provide a clean and sanitary apartment for you, not an entire neighborhood. To break your lease on the grounds that the neighborhood is bad is not going to go over well with any judge.

Dddyy

My bf recently signed a lease to an apt. The day before he signed it the guy told him at the last second that the previous tenant was “dirty” and had roaches but they were apparently gone now. He moves in the next night and Not even an hour of living there he spotted a cockroach followed by several others.

He immediately packed up all his stuff and went back to staying at his mom’s. They told him they would have it taken care of by the following Thursday (we called them on Sunday) they call him yesterday saying his apt is ready. He went to inspect it (because they are nocturnal) at night and the first thing he sees is dead roaches by his front door. ( keep in mind the front door is inside the building down a hall) there were also several dead ones inside the kitchen and on the carpet.

He paid an extra 150 to move in the last week Of the month. When he called them out on the mess and asked if he could get his 150 back (since it was unsafe to live in the past week) they told him no to either live with it or take his money and run.

Also, the first day he was there someone took his 65 dollar a month parking spot. The leasing agent said that they would give him a New spot. When he brought this up today the leasing agent said he never said that.

There were dead roaches under the carpet also but they are refusing to change the carpet.

This is a 800 dollar a month studio people, it’s literally two rooms.

They have security cameras all over this place, you’d think they could fix a simple bug problem.

There reviews are terrible and a lot of people complain about roaches. So in case she is bluffing what are my bfs rights? This is his first apartment and I really don’t want this to ruin his first time renters and worse ruin his almost non existent credit score.

He has health problems and some disabilities as well.

musikgirla

If you sign a contract, you are bound to it. No buts, if”s , etc.

guest

No you are not. Many landlords and businesses period make the mistake of thinking that their contracts supersede state and federal laws and they don’t. Roaches, rats, mice are all considered vermin and pests because they are known vectors of disease. People are protected by law from having to live in dwellings where land lords refuse to exterminate and clean up the carcasses of extermination. Further more they are required to provide a ‘clean’ apartment on move in of any tenant as current or prospective tenants cannot be held accountable for filth of previous tenants.

My suggestion to anyone, any time you have problems with land lord take lots of pictures, send everything in writing and certified mail, and whatever you do thanks to bedbugs, before you sign any document with landlords, pay to have an out of area exterminator inspect any place you plan on renting. If landlord refuses than landlord has something to hide. 50 will save you thousands. Many landlords are renting pre infested dwellings and passing the buck off to the next tenants under the clause of bedbug addendums. If your exterminator turns up findings of any insect infestation, but especially roaches or bedbugs, report that landlord immediately to the board of health. You do not have to take that lying down

Aubrey Jean

You can get out of a lease for “Constructive Eviction” basically, your landlord is not maintaining a safe and habitable environment. (Unrepaired roof leak, insect infestation, etc…) Check your local state laws.

Joani Renay Tash

I have a almost 8 year old son that was just placed into a wheelchair and he is also blind in both eyes….We live on a second floor apartment and the only way to got to our door is stairs…no elevator. Is it justified for us to be able to break our lease?

Brice Thompson

What state are you in?

You may need to reach out to a lawyer, but there are options sometimes that the landlord will consider. For instance, moving to a more accessible apartment within the same community. If they are not reasonable, legal counsel will be something you might desire. You can fight the land lord stating that your apartment is not accessible for your family.

anon

Hi. I signed a 2 year lease. 5 months into my lease I decided to flee the state to save my life. I had a unruly drug addiction that was causing my life to spiral out of control. I know owe 5000+ for the payments of the rest of my lease. Is there anyway I can get out of this? I fleed to save my life.

Bill Tritz

may I ask if you resolved this and any good ideas?

Bill Tritz

please send me an email [email protected] Im trying to get out of my lease 4 months early and would appreciate any ideas. I have trouble and am on limited income. Anyones help apprecated

musikgirla

The landLord is not responsible for your problems. If it was not on the contract, you are bound to pay the lease.

tjoes

Lots and lots of questions here and NO ANSWERS. What’s the point of asking questions if nobody replies?

Anna Kooblall

Hi my aunt just sgned a 2 year lease agreement but this morning she got this month bill for 1400 to 1900 this morning and its too much for her to pay what to do?

Gerardo Ozorio

Can I break my lease because the house is to hot 84 f inside with the ac on?

CARLA CARRILLO

Hi, im in Houston , TX Can I break my lease early if the rental property does not hold up on their end of the lease contract ( maintenance emergencies and safty) for many days sometimes up to a month. In my lease it says i can send a certified registered letter addressing the issue and requesting termination of the lease due to the issues violating the lease. Help!

sandra

I leased an apartment and they sold the complex to another company, Is there a way out of my lease considering I didn’t sign a lease with this new company?

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